For me, it's so fun to meet artists on the way up and see them take off! Certainly is the case for Dustin Lynch. I remember seeing him play on his bus and as soon as my boss and I walked off his bus we knew that we were going to ask him to play at our 2012 Listener Appreciation Show - and he did!

Since I was stuck at home last week recovering from surgery, at least I had something fun to wach! These two make feeling bad so much better. I watch them play for hours. :) They can't, they poop out. This is Buddy with his best friend Penelope...

OK, it's not a CD of new music but it is a new CD. His first LIVE CD - "Caught In The Act" and it's coming out just in time for my birthday on April 9th. (My birthday is April 10th so I'm sure it was planned.)

I wanted to do a little video so you could see what it looks like behind the scenes here. Thank you to everyone who has already become a Partner In Hope and if you haven't yet - please do - the number is 1-800-335-5439.

So you know Jana is engaged to Brantley Gilbert - last night at our St. Jude benefit she had another proposal! And even said YES! Before the show she said that a guy tweeted her that he was coming to the show and wanted to propose. She said if he proposed to her on stage she would make a donation to St. Jude. He proposed and she made a 500 DOLLAR DONATION to St. Jude! And the funny thing is when Jana asked the audience who wanted to propose to her, he didn't say a word. His wife is the one who spoke up!

I love my friend Jenny's big heart - and I love her theater group, "Laughing Feet Performers". Laughing Feet isn't your typical theater group. This is a group where special-needs kids and young adults can experience the fun and excitement of being on stage. I had the pleasure of emceeing it last year with Sierra Scott (who was so much fun!) and it was one of the most heartwarming things I have ever done.

...and this is why you need to go see him Friday at The Cotillion! You heard me play his new single "Could It Be" (and doesn't he sound like Vince Gill?) and I have to tell you - Charlie Worsham won me over when he came to KFDI for a visit last fall. This was his first song he sang for us and let's just say, he had me at "Crazy Train".

Now keep in mind - this is all just MY opinion! You might agree and you might not. The CDs I pick have to be released in this calendar year (so you will not see Eric Church on this list, he was my number one LAST year!)